Method for operating on objects in a first image using an object-based model data structure to produce a second contextual image having added, replaced or deleted objects

Abstract

A user-directed method for operating a processor-controlled machine allows a user to operate on an object-based model data structure from which a first image has been produced in order to apply any of a number of spatially and temporally bounded changes to the first image in a second image displayed in the spatial context of the first image. The method is implemented as an enhancement to the functionality of an application program, such as a graphical object editor. The user requests the display of a viewing operation region (VOR) coextensively with a first image segment of the first image in the display area of the machine's display device. In response to the user's request signal, a viewing operation associated with the VOR operates on a copy of the object-based model data structure that produced the image to produce a second modified view of the portion of the image coextensively positioned with the VOR, displaying the second, modified view in the VOR. Since the operation on the model data structure is made to a copy of the model only, it permits the previewing of changes to an image before actually applying the changes to the model using the application. Presenting the second, modified image only in the spatial context of the first image provides contextual feedback to the user. The method may thus provide spatially defined access to information in a complex model in an intuitive and easy to use manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a machine to provide a second view of an information space that shows a display object added to a first view of the information space; the machine including a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information included in the information space; the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing the first view of the information space; the first image including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to present a viewing operation region in a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;   operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image representing the second view of the information space; the model-based viewing operation using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to the first display object and to a second display object that is not included in the first image segment so that the second image includes the first and second display objects; and   operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; the second image including the second display object as an added display object representing information added to the information space.   
     
     
       2. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the second image produced by the model-based viewing operation using the model data structure includes display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment, and wherein the second display object in the second image is visually perceptible as being added to the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image. 
     
     
       3. The method of operating the machine of claim 2 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object; and   the second display object in the second image is visually perceptible as a second graphical display object.   
     
     
       4. The method of operating the machine of claim 3 wherein the second graphical display object is visually perceptible as an artistic enhancement to the graphical illustration. 
     
     
       5. The method of operating the machine of claim 3 wherein the second graphical display object is visually perceptible as a drop shadow display object, positioned in the second image offset from and behind the first graphical display object. 
     
     
       6. The method of operating the machine of claim 3 wherein the second graphical display object is visually perceptible as a label display object; the label display object including text display features and positioned in the second image in a manner relative to the first graphical display object so as to be visually perceptible as providing identifying information about the first graphical display object. 
     
     
       7. The method of operating the machine of claim 3 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates geographic information; the graphical illustration being a map illustration wherein the first display object represents a geographical feature; the model-based viewing operation mapping the first model data item to the first and second graphical display objects so that the second view of the map illustration shows an added geographical display feature not shown in the first view. 
     
     
       8. The method of operating the machine of claim 3 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates digital processor machine circuitry information; the graphical illustration being a circuit diagram illustration wherein the first display object represents a digital circuitry feature; the model-based viewing operation mapping the first model data item to the first and second graphical display objects so that the second view of the circuit diagram illustration shows an added digital circuitry feature not shown in the first view. 
     
     
       9. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the machine further includes a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of a machine user; the processor being further connected for receiving the input signals;   the method further including, prior to presenting the viewing operation region, operating the processor to receive the input signals indicating a display request by the machine user to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area; and   wherein the viewing operation region is presented in the present viewing position in the display area in response to the display request.   
     
     
       10. The method of operating the machine of claim 9 wherein the input signals indicating the display request of the machine user indicate a movement action by the machine user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; and   the viewing operation is operatively associated with the viewing operation region so that the viewing operation is performed when the viewing operation region is moved from the prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; the second image showing the second display object as being added to the first image segment within the viewing operation region in the spatial context of the first image while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       11. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the first image segment includes a plurality of display objects each representing a respective model data item included in the model data structure; and wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, uses selection criteria to select one of the respective model data items as the first model data item from the model data structure for mapping to the second display object. 
     
     
       12. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, maps the first model data item obtained from the model data structure to the second display object using a second model data item included in the model data structure. 
     
     
       13. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, maps the first model data item obtained from the model data structure to the second display object using a second model data item included in a second model data structure. 
     
     
       14. The method of operating the machine of claim 1 wherein the step of operating the processor to perform the model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce the second image includes producing a second model data structure according to the model-based viewing operation and using the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation using the first model data item to produce a second model data item included in the second model data structure;   executing instruction data defining an application operation to produce the image definition data defining the second image using the second model data structure; the application operation being capable of producing the first image using the model data structure; the application operation mapping the first model data item to the first display object, and mapping the second model data item to a second display object that is not included in the first image segment so that the second image includes the first and second display objects;   obtaining second image size-and-position data from the present viewing position of the viewing operation region in the display area; the second image size-and-position data indicating size and position information about the second image representing the second view of the information space; and   clipping the image definition data defining the second image using the second image size-and-position data to the size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region.   
     
     
       15. A method of operating a machine to provide a machine user with enhanced views of an information space; the machine including a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of the machine user; a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information in the information space; the processor further being connected for receiving the input signals from the user input device and for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing a first view of the information space; the first image including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to receive input signals from the machine user indicating a movement action by the machine user moving a viewing operation region presented in the display area from a prior viewing position to a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;   in response to the movement action, operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image representing a second view of the information space and including display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; the model-based viewing operation using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure and mapping the first model data item to the first display object and to a second display object that is not included in the first image segment so that the second image includes the first and second display objects; and   operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; the second display object in the second image being visually perceptible as being added to the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image.   
     
     
       16. The method of operating the machine of claim 15 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object; and   the second display object in the second image is a second graphical display object visually perceptible as an artistic enhancement to the graphical illustration.   
     
     
       17. A machine comprising: input circuitry connected to a user input device for receiving signals from the user input device indicating requests of a machine user;   image output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images thereon; the image output circuitry causing the display to present the images in the display area in response to receiving image definition data defining the images;   a memory for storing data; and   a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing the image definition data defining the images to the image output circuitry;   the data stored in the memory including: a model data structure indicating information included in an information space;   image definition data defining a first image; the first image being produced using the model data structure and presented in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being a first view of the information space and including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   viewing operation interface instruction data indicating viewing operation region presentation instructions the processor can execute to produce image definition data defining a viewing operation region, and to provide the image definition data defining the viewing operation region to the image output circuitry for display in the display area in a present viewing position; the viewing operation region presentation instructions including input request instructions for receiving the request signal data from the input circuitry; and   viewing operation instruction data indicating model-based viewing operation instructions the processor can execute in response to executing the input request instructions for receiving the request signal data to produce image definition data defining a second image; the model-based viewing operation instructions using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation instructions further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to the first display object and to a second display object that is not included in the first image segment so that the second image includes the first and second display objects;     the processor being further connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;   when request signal data is provided from the input circuitry indicating an image display request by the machine user to display the viewing operation region in the display area, execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions causing the processor to receive the request signal data from the input circuitry and to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image;   execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions further causing the processor to execute the model-based viewing operation instructions to produce the second image including the first and second display objects; the second image being a second view of the information space; and   execution of the model-based viewing operation instructions further causing the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image being presented in a spatial context of the first image and including the second display object as an added display object representing information added to the information space while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       18. The machine of claim 17 wherein the request signal data indicating the image display request by the machine user includes signals indicating a movement action by the user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position coextensive with the present image position of the first image segment of the first image; the second image being presented in the spatial context of the first image and showing the second display object added to the information space while the viewing operation region is moved into the present viewing position. 
     
     
       19. The machine of claim 17 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object;   the second display object included in the second image is a second graphical display object visually perceptible as an addition to the graphical illustration; and   execution of the model-based viewing operation instructions further causing the second image to include display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; the second graphical display object in the second image being visually perceptible as being an addition to the graphical illustration in the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image and while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       20. A method of operating a machine to provide a second view of an information space showing at least one display object deleted from the first view; the machine including a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information included in the information space; the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing the first view of the information space; the first image including first and second display objects representing respective first and second model data items included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to present a viewing operation region in a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first and second display objects;   operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image representing the second view of the information space; the model-based viewing operation using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first and second model data items included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to the first display object so that the second image includes the first display object, and mapping the second model data item to a deleted display object so that the second image does not include the second display object; the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, including display features in the second image that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; and   operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; absence of the second display object in the second image being visually perceptible as information deleted from the information space in the spatial context of the first image segment.   
     
     
       21. The method of operating the machine of claim 20 wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, uses selection criteria to select the second model data item from the model data structure for mapping to the deleted display object; the model-based viewing operation filtering out selected information from the first view of the information space for display in the viewing operation region as the second view of the information space; the second view of the information space thereby showing fewer display objects than the first view. 
     
     
       22. The method of operating the machine of claim 20 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first and second display objects being first and second graphical display objects respectively; and   the second image shows the second graphical display object deleted from the graphical illustration.   
     
     
       23. The method of operating the machine of claim 22 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates geographic information; the graphical illustration being a map illustration including a plurality of graphical display objects representing geographical features; the model-based viewing operation using the selection criteria to select ones of a plurality of model data items in the model data structure represented by the plurality of graphical display objects for mapping to deleted graphical display objects so that the second view of the map illustration shows fewer geographical display features than the first view. 
     
     
       24. The method of operating the machine of claim 22 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates digital processor machine circuitry information; the graphical illustration being a circuit diagram illustration including a plurality of graphical display objects representing digital circuitry features; the model-based viewing operation using the selection criteria to select ones of a plurality of model data items from the model data structure represented by the plurality of graphical display objects for mapping to deleted display objects so that the second view of the circuit diagram illustration shows fewer digital circuitry features than the first view. 
     
     
       25. The method of operating the machine of claim 20 wherein the machine further includes a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of a machine user; the processor being further connected for receiving the input signals;   the method further including, prior to presenting the viewing operation region, operating the processor to receive the input signals indicating a display request by the machine user to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area; and   wherein the viewing operation region is presented in the present viewing position in the display area in response to the display request.   
     
     
       26. The method of operating the machine of claim 25 wherein the input signals indicating the display request of the machine user indicate a movement action by the machine user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; and   the model-based viewing operation is operatively associated with the viewing operation region so that the model-based viewing operation is performed when the viewing operation region is moved from the prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; absence of the second display object in the second image being visually perceptible as information deleted from the information space in the spatial context of the first image segment while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       27. The method of operating the machine of claim 20 wherein the second image showing deletion of the second display object is visually perceptible as a filtered, less detailed second view of the information space. 
     
     
       28. The method of operating the machine of claim 20 wherein the step of operating the processor to perform the model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce the second image includes producing a second model data structure according to the model-based viewing operation and using the first and second model data items included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation including the first data item in the second model data structure such that an application operation capable of producing the second image from the second model data structure maps the first model data item to the first display object in the second image; the model-based viewing operation including the second model data item in the second model data structure such that an application operation capable of producing the second image from the second model data structure does not include the second display object in the second image;   executing instruction data defining an application operation to produce the image definition data defining the second image using the second model data structure; the application operation being capable of producing the first image using the model data structure; the application operation mapping the first model data item to the first display object, and mapping the second model data item to the deleted display object such that the second display object is not included in the second image;   obtaining second image size-and-position data from the present viewing position of the viewing operation region in the display area; the second image size-and-position data indicating size and position information about the second image representing the second view of the information space; and   clipping the image definition data defining the second image using the second image size-and-position data to the size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region.   
     
     
       29. A method of operating a machine to provide a machine user with a second view of an information space showing at least one display object deleted from the first view; the machine including a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of the machine user; a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information in the information space; the processor further being connected for receiving the input signals from the user input device and for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing a first view of the information space; the first image including first and second display objects representing respectively first and second model data items included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to receive input signals from the machine user indicating a movement action by the machine user moving a viewing operation region presented in the display area from a prior viewing position to a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first and second display objects;   in response to the movement action, operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image representing a second view of the information space; the model-based viewing operation mapping the model data structure to the second image so that the second image includes display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment;   the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first and second model data items included in the model data structure;   the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, using selection criteria to select a selected model data item from the first and second model data items;   the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, mapping the selected model data item to a deleted display object so that the second image does not include the deleted display object; the model-based viewing operation deleting selected information from the first view of the information space; and     operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; absence of the deleted display object in the second image being visually perceptible as information deleted from the information space in the spatial context of the first image segment while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       30. The method of operating the machine of claim 29 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first and second display objects being first and second graphical display objects respectively; and   the second image shows the second graphical display object deleted from the graphical illustration.   
     
     
       31. A machine comprising: input circuitry connected to a user input device for receiving signals from the user input device indicating requests of a machine user;   image output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images thereon; the image output circuitry causing the display to present the images in the display area in response to receiving image definition data defining the images;   a memory for storing data; and   a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing the image definition data defining the images to the image output circuitry;   the data stored in the memory including: a model data structure indicating information included in an information space;   image definition data defining a first image; the first image being produced using the model data structure and presented in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being a first view of the information space and including first and second display objects representing first and second model data items respectively included in the model data structure;   viewing operation interface instruction data indicating viewing operation region presentation instructions the processor can execute to produce image definition data defining a viewing operation region, and to provide the image definition data defining the viewing operation region to the image output circuitry for display in the display area in a present viewing position; the viewing operation region presentation instructions including input request instructions for receiving the request signal data from the input circuitry; and   viewing operation instruction data indicating model-based viewing operation instructions the processor can execute in response to executing the input request instructions for receiving the request signal data to produce image definition data defining a second image; the model-based viewing operation instructions using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first and second model data items included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation instructions further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to the first display object and mapping the second model data item to a deleted display object so that the second image does not include the second display object;     the processor being further connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;   when request signal data is provided from the input circuitry indicating an image display request by the machine user to display the viewing operation region in the display area, execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions causing the processor to receive the request signal data from the input circuitry and to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image;   execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions further causing the processor to execute the model-based viewing operation instructions to produce the second image including the first display object but not including the second display object; the second image being a second, filtered view of the information space; and   execution of the viewing operation instructions further causing the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image being presented in a spatial context of the first image; absence of the second display object in the second image representing information deleted from the information space.   
     
     
       32. The machine of claim 31 wherein the request signal data indicating the image display request by the machine user includes signals indicating a movement action by the user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position coextensive with the present image position of the first image segment of the first image; presentation of the second image in the viewing operation region in the spatial context of the first image showing information deleted from the information space in the first image segment while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position. 
     
     
       33. The machine of claim 31 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first and second display objects being first and second graphical display objects respectively; and   execution of the model-based viewing operation instructions further causing the second image to include display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; the absence of the second graphical display object in the second image being visually perceptible as deleting information from the graphical illustration in the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image.   
     
     
       34. A method of operating a machine to provide a second view of an information space that shows a first display object included in a first view of the information space replaced with a second display object in the second view of the information space; the machine including a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information included in the information space; the processor further being connected for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing the first view of the information space; the first image including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to present a viewing operation region in a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;   operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image including the second display object representing the second view of the information space; the model-based viewing operation using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to the second display object such that the second image includes the second display object in place of the first display object in the second image; and   operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; the second image including the second display object in place of the first display object in the second view of the information space.   
     
     
       35. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the second image produced by the model-based viewing operation using the model data structure includes display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment, and wherein the second display object in the second image is visually perceptible as replacing the first display object in the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image. 
     
     
       36. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object; and   the second display object in the second image is visually perceptible as a second graphical display object replacing the first graphical display object.   
     
     
       37. The method of operating the machine of claim 36 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates geographic information; the graphical illustration being a map illustration wherein the first graphical display object represents a first geographical feature; the model-based viewing operation mapping the first model data item to the second graphical display object so that the second view of the map illustration shows the first geographical display feature replaced by a second geographical display feature. 
     
     
       38. The method of operating the machine of claim 36 wherein the graphical illustration information space indicates digital processor machine circuitry information; the graphical illustration being a circuit diagram illustration wherein the first graphical display object represents a first digital circuitry feature; the model-based viewing operation mapping the first model data item to the second graphical display object so that the second view of the circuit diagram illustration shows the first digital circuitry feature replaced by a second digital circuitry feature. 
     
     
       39. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the machine further includes a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of a machine user; the processor being further connected for receiving the input signals;   the method further including, prior to presenting the viewing operation region, operating the processor to receive the input signals indicating a display request by the machine user to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area; and   wherein the viewing operation region is presented in the present viewing position in the display area in response to the display request.   
     
     
       40. The method of operating the machine of claim 39 wherein the input signals indicating the display request of the machine user indicate a movement action by the machine user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; and   the model-based viewing operation is operatively associated with the viewing operation region so that the model-based viewing operation is performed when the viewing operation region is moved from the prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position; the second image showing the second display object as replacing the first display object in the first image segment within the viewing operation region in the spatial context of the first image while the viewing operation region is in the present viewing position.   
     
     
       41. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the first image segment includes a plurality of display objects each representing a respective model data item included in the model data structure; and wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, uses selection criteria to select one of the respective model data items as a selected data item from the model data structure for mapping to the second display object. 
     
     
       42. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, maps the first model data item obtained from the model data structure to the second display object using a second model data item included in the model data structure. 
     
     
       43. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the model-based viewing operation further, in producing the second image, maps the first model data item obtained from the model data structure to the second display object using a second model data item included in a second model data structure. 
     
     
       44. The method of operating the machine of claim 34 wherein the step of operating the processor to perform the model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce the second image includes producing a second model data structure according to the model-based viewing operation and using the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation using the first model data item to produce a second model data item included in the second model data structure;   executing instruction data defining an application operation to produce the image definition data defining the second image using the second model data structure; the application operation being capable of producing the first image using the model data structure; the application operation mapping the second model data item to the second display object such that the second image includes the second display object in place of the first display object;   obtaining second image size-and-position data from the present viewing position of the viewing operation region in the display area; the second image size-and-position data indicating size and position information about the second image representing the second view of the information space; and   clipping the image definition data defining the second image using the second image size-and-position data to the size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region.   
     
     
       45. A method of operating a machine to provide a machine user with a second view of an information space that shows a first display object included in a first view of the information space replaced with a second display object in the second view of the information space; the machine including a user input device for receiving input signals indicating requests of the machine user; a display having a display area for presenting images; a processor connected for providing image definition data defining images for presentation in the display area of the display; and memory for storing data; the data stored in the memory including instruction data indicating instructions the processor executes and a model data structure indicating information in the information space; the processor further being connected for receiving the input signals from the user input device and for accessing the data stored in the memory; the method comprising: operating the processor to present a first image in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being produced from the model data structure and representing a first view of the information space; the first image including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   operating the processor to receive input signals from the machine user indicating a movement action by the machine user moving a viewing operation region presented in the display area from a prior viewing position to a present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image; the first image segment including the first display object;   in response to the movement action, operating the processor to perform a model-based viewing operation using the model data structure to produce a second image representing a second view of the information space; the second image including the second display object and including display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; the model-based viewing operation using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure and mapping the first model data item to the second display object; and   operating the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image having size and shape dimensions substantially identical to size and shape dimensions of the viewing operation region, and being displayed substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area; the second display object in the second image being visually perceptible as replacing the first display object in the first image segment within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image.   
     
     
       46. The method of operating the machine of claim 45 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object; and   the second display object in the second image is a second graphical display object visually perceptible as an artistic change to the graphical illustration.   
     
     
       47. A machine comprising: input circuitry connected to a user input device for receiving signals from the user input device indicating requests of a machine user;   image output circuitry connected to a display having a display area for presenting images thereon; the image output circuitry causing the display to present the images in the display area in response to receiving image definition data defining the images;   a memory for storing data; and   a processor connected for receiving the signals from the input circuitry, and connected for providing the image definition data defining the images to the image output circuitry;   the data stored in the memory including: a model data structure indicating information included in an information space;   image definition data defining a first image; the first image being produced using the model data structure and presented in a present image position in the display area of the display; the first image being a first view of the information space and including a first display object representing a first model data item included in the model data structure;   viewing operation interface instruction data indicating viewing operation region presentation instructions the processor can execute to produce image definition data defining a viewing operation region, and to provide the image definition data defining the viewing operation region to the image output circuitry for display in the display area in a present viewing position; the viewing operation region presentation instructions including input request instructions for receiving the request signal data from the input circuitry; and   viewing operation instruction data indicating model-based viewing operation instructions the processor can execute in response to executing the input request instructions for receiving the request signal data to produce image definition data defining a second image; the model-based viewing operation instructions using the present viewing position of the viewing operation region to obtain the first model data item included in the model data structure; the model-based viewing operation instructions further, in producing the second image, mapping the first model data item to a second display object in place of the first display object;     the processor being further connected for accessing the data stored in the memory;   when request signal data is provided from the input circuitry indicating an image display request by the machine user to display the viewing operation region in the display area, execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions causing the processor to receive the request signal data from the input circuitry and to present the viewing operation region in the present viewing position in the display area coextensive with the present image position of a first image segment of the first image;   execution of the viewing operation region presentation instructions further causing the processor to execute the model-based viewing operation instructions to produce the second image including the second display object in place of the first display object; the second image being a second view of the information space; and   execution of the model-based viewing operation instructions further causing the processor to present the second image in the viewing operation region substantially at the same time as the first image is being displayed in the display area so that the second image overlays and replaces the first image segment in the display area; the second image being presented in a spatial context of the first image and including the second display object as a replacement for the first display object representing changed information in the information space.   
     
     
       48. The machine of claim 47 wherein the request signal data indicating the image display request by the machine user includes signals indicating a movement action by the user moving the viewing operation region from a prior viewing position in the display area to the present viewing position coextensive with the present image position of the first image segment of the first image; the second image being presented in the spatial context of the first image and showing the first display object replaced by the second display object while the viewing operation region is moved into the present viewing position. 
     
     
       49. The machine of claim 47 wherein the information space represented by the model data structure is a graphical illustration information space indicating information about graphical display objects; the first image being a graphical illustration and the first display object being a first graphical display object;   the second display object included in the second image is a second graphical display object visually perceptible as replacing the first display object in the graphical illustration; and   execution of the model-based viewing operation instructions further causing the second image to include display features that are visually perceptible as being identical to display features in the first image segment; the second graphical display object in the second image replacing the first graphical display object in the first image segment being visually perceptible as changing the graphical illustration within the viewing operation region in a spatial context of the first image and while the viewing operation region is moved into the present viewing position.